Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
“The greatest temptations are not those that solicit our consent to obvious sin, but those that offer us great evils masking as the greatest goods.” ~ Thomas Merton
There’s a LOT of tempting fruit out there. And from the outside they look both delicious and nutritious. But what looks good isn’t always good for you. A beautiful exterior can secretly be rotten at its core. Therefore, it’s imperative you get to know them before you decide to get seriously involved. You must explore their hearts & minds in order to get a feel for the type of spirit they possess. Taking time to find out if the juice is worth the squeeze can save you from a world of trouble.
“Just because a feeling is natural does not mean it should be indulged.” ~ Roseanna White
The more choices you have available to you, the more difficult it can be to not succumb to temptation. Always keep in mind that just because you can doesn’t mean you should. You must remember that all that glitters isn’t gold. It may look & feel good to you and still not be good for you. Don’t be blinded by the artificial light lust can emit. It isn’t until you succumb to temptation that the darkness of guilt overtakes you. The Bible states in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. So please don’t be fooled. We never realize how powerful temptation can be until we attempt to resist it. It can be relentless. You must remain steadfast in the face of lethal attraction.
“The devil doesn’t come dressed in a red cape and pointy horns. He comes as everything you’ve ever wished for.” ~ Tucker Max
There was a time when I was out there running wild, so I understand. Self-control wasn’t exactly my strong suit. But I was fortunate enough to wise up in my 20s. I learned that sometimes you must say no even though the flesh is willing. I also learned the easiest way to avoid temptation is to avoid putting myself in situations where the opportunity to give in is there. If you’re in a relationship and feeling tempted to get involved with someone else, don’t allow yourself to be alone with the other person in a place where something can happen. This list of places includes cars, hotels, empty conference rooms, closets, bathrooms, and your places of residence…to name a few. The stronger you believe you may be the more temptation will test you. Men have a long history of being unable to say no to sexual opportunities, so your resistance to someone’s advances will make you even more attractive. This is when you must double-down on your stance. And run like Forrest Gump if necessary.
“Temptation is the feeling we get when encountered by an opportunity to do what we innately know we shouldn’t.” ~ Steve Maraboli
One of the things that makes temptation so alluring is the thought that you may never get the opportunity again. It becomes even more difficult when it’s something you were already fantasizing about. But not every opportunity is a good opportunity. The risk may not be worth the reward. You could potentially jeopardize your health, finances, and existing relationships. An unwanted pregnancy. An incurable disease. A ruined relationship. They’re all possibilities. I’m not telling you what to do or not to do. I’m telling you to be smart about it. Condoms break. Condoms come off. The temptation to not use one at all is always lurking. Consider the potential consequences when deciding whether to resist, or surrender, to the moment. Is the juice worth the long-term squeeze? Choose wisely.
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